CSTA BOARD MINUTES
December 1, 2007
via Teleconference
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the California
Science Teachers Association, a California Non-profit Corporation
was called to order at 9:07 a.m., via conference call.
Attendance and Quorum
The following board members were present: Jeff Bradbury, Margaret
Burke, Karen Carroll, Deborah Farkas, Dean Gilbert, Jennifer
Halls, Laura Henriques, Jim Jones, Rick Pomeroy, Susan Pritchard,
Greg Schultz, Diana Takenaga, Jenny Wade, Don Whisman, Tim
Williamson, and Karen Withey-Smith. A quorum was present.
Also in attendance was executive director Christine Bertrand.
Sue Pritchard served as chair, and Jenny Wade served as secretary.
Notice
The chair called the meeting to order and announced that the
meeting was held pursuant to written notice to all members
of the Board of Directors of the corporation. A copy of the
notice was ordered entered into the minutes book following
the minutes of the meeting.
Approval of Agenda
Rick Pomeroy moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Tim
Williamson; the agenda was approved.
Approval of Minutes
Rick Pomeroy moved to approve the minutes of the September
30, 2007 board meeting; seconded by Dean Gilbert; motion carried.
Old Business
Payne Preservice Program
Christine Bertrand reported that the Payne Preservice Program
at the 2007 conference was successful, with 67 students enrolled,
although only 41 completed the requirements. Christine reported
that it appears that many students did not understand the
volunteer commitment; that will need to be communicated better
in the future. Christine reported that the Payne Family Foundation
was impressed with the program and has already approved support
for the 2008 conference. It was suggested that a buddy system
of matching students and college instructors be considered
and perhaps have regional directors assist in getting more
participation from universities in their regions. It was also
suggested that more flexibility in programming be incorporated
for next year.
Member Survey
Jeff Bradbury reported that the member survey was available
at the conference, and an announcement was in the November
CCS. He reported that an email will go out to everyone with
an email address in our database with a link to the survey.
Jeff reported that 47 have taken the survey so far.
Lab Equipment Lists
Sue Pritchard reminded those who volunteered to develop lab
equipment lists to send their lists to Christine by January
1. Christine will compile the lists and send them to all board
members for review and additions. Dean Gilbert will give the
lists to CISC members for their review, and the revised lists
will be on the March 1 meeting agenda for board discussion.
Dean inquired as to whether we want to collaborate with CISC
on the project; Christine Bertrand cautioned that such a collaboration
may get bogged down in the CISC approval process.
Programs
2007 Science Education Conference Wrap-up
Tim Williamson thanked all of the board for their assistance.
He indicated that the final registration was 2806, not including
exhibitors; 228 booths were sold; 25 administrators participated
in Administrator Day; there were 208 workshops and 80 commercial
workshops. Tim reported that 212 evaluations were received;
89 percent rated the conference excellent or very good, 10
percent rated it average, and 1 percent rated it poor; 72
percent said it was time well spent and 3 percent said it
was not worth their time.
2008 Science Education Conference
Rick Pomeroy reported that planning for the 2008 conference
in San Jose is moving along well. He indicated that the planning
committee met on November 17, and conference elements were
decided upon and committee duties assigned. Rick reported
that applications for short courses and workshops are open
online.
Meg Burke reported on her attempts to secure the California
Academy of Sciences for the Saturday evening event. She indicated
that she is working closely with the person in charge of such
events and will know the rental fee for the facility before
January.
The Administrator Day program was discussed; with a relatively
low number in attendance, only 25, it was questioned whether
or not the program should continue next year. Tim Williamson
reported that Sandi Yellenberg has volunteered to spearhead
the event and attract many northern California administrators.
The consensus was that the program be given another try before
eliminating it. It was suggested that board members personally
invite the administrators in their own districts.
Evaluations of individual workshops were discussed, and several
means of conducting such an evaluation were presented, including:
paper evaluations, online evaluations, cell phones call-in
numbers, perforated short evaluation forms at the back of
the conference program book, call-in number with a dial-in
code which emails a text message to our account. Diana Takenaga
questioned what purpose of the evaluation is, and Greg Schultz
questioned what we want to ask and how we will use the information.
Field Experience Grant Program
Deb Farkas reported that Savannah Africa is still willing
to provide the award, and the awardee can select the date
that is most convenient for them, but no applications have
been received so far. She mentioned that the announcement
will be in CCS again in January and hopefully will get interest
then.
Diana Takenaga reported that she had contacted EarthWatch
regarding future field experience awards, however there is
a funding issue with them; they don’t have funds for this.
Meg Burke reported on her research on the School for Field
Studies as another potential for the field grants; she indicated
that School for Field Studies is not a good match for this
program. Meg questioned whether, with the lack of response
for Savannah Africa, we should pursue other programs at this
time.
Policy and Organizational Issues
Corporate Representation on CSTA
Dean Gilbert reported that the executive committee had discussed
the idea of setting up a mechanism for representation/input
of a corporate advisory council. Questions were raised about
the purpose of and representation in the council; how the
council would be structured; whether the council liaison would
be a voting member of the board and how that would impact
the bylaws. Chair Sue Pritchard appointed Dean Gilbert, chair,
Greg Schultz, and Laura Henriques as an ad hoc committee to
flesh out the details of a plan for corporate representation
in CSTA and bring the plan to the March 1 board meeting.
CSTA Chapters
Diana Takenaga reported on a meeting held at the conference
of some local chapter representatives. Issues of concern to
the chapters are attendance at local conferences, membership,
and their survival as organizations. Diana reported that chapters
are feeling neglected by CSTA, and the group developed a list
of ways that CSTA could support local chapters. Christine
Bertrand pointed out that all the suggestions made were already
offered by CSTA, so perhaps it was a matter of getting the
chapters to take advantage of them. It was suggested that
the professional development committee discuss the issue and
bring a proposal to the March board meeting.
Workshop at Children’s Water Education Festival
Christine Bertrand inquired if anyone wanted to present a
workshop at the Children’s Water Education Festival; no one
volunteered.
Table at GLATSA Conference
Christine Bertrand asked for a volunteer to staff a CSTA table
at the GLATSA conference on February 16.
Reports
Treasurer’s Report
Greg Schultz reported on income and expenses as of August
31.
Executive Director’s Report
Christine Bertrand reported that the State Board of Education
appointed Bama Medley a math/science specialist from the Santa
Maria area, as the “science representative” on the Curriculum
Commission. She reported that the Title 5 regulations on the
adoption process are on their third public comment period.
Adjournment
Dean Gilbert moved, Meg Burke seconded that the meeting be
adjourned.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
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